Author

About the Author /

Obsessed with film, the internet and WordPress, Directors Notes is the place Rob gets to brings all his interests together and really geek out. When not writing for DN he can be found on Short of the Week or Vimeo.

Change Her RCA Short Film

Animation, Film Festival

The Future of Animation: Six Standout Short Films from the 2025 RCA Grad Show

From bold visuals to inventive storytelling, here are six standout films from the 2025 RCA Show that feel destined for the festival circuit.

Read more

Animation, Premiere

Finding Beauty in the Chaos: Natasza Cetner on Creating ‘And the Cranes Kept Dancing’

Natasza Cetner offers us an "escape from monotony" in her woodcut-inspired paint on glass animated short - a hypnotic film about life's priorities.

Read more

Film Festival

The 13 Must-Watch Short Films at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival

If you’re attending SXSW 2025 in person or beaming in virtually via the online platform, these are the 13 short films you won’t want to miss.

Read more

Animation, Awards

Breakfast With “A Room Full of Bald Men”: The Unlikely Inspiration Behind Nicolas Keppens’ ‘Beautiful Men’

Director Nicolas Keppens walks DN through his journey into stop motion animation and the inspiration behind his Oscar-nominated short about male insecurity.

Read more

Animation, Awards

How a Theatre Full of Disgusted Kids Inspired Loïc Espuche to Create the Oscar Nominated Short ‘Yuck!’ (Beurk!)

Director Loïc Espuche joins us to discuss how he brought a little lip-tingling magic to his Oscar-nominated tale of hidden desires and first kisses.

Read more

Animation, Awards

José Prats Reminds Us To Honour Our Parents With His BAFTA Nominated Short Film ‘Adiós’

When BAFTA recognition means your grandma finally understands your job: José Prats on bridging personal filmmaking and professional acclaim.

Read more

Animation, Awards

Robin Shaw on the Pressure of Adapting Beloved ‘Mog’s Christmas’ for His BAFTA Nominated Animated Short

Robin Shaw discusses the art of creating family-friendly films, the challenge of staying true to source material and replicating the tactile intimacy of books.

Read more

Film Festival

The 11 Short Films You Can’t Miss at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival

Evil messiahs, feeding tubes, and talented locksmiths - the 2025 Sundance short film lineup delivers yet another eclectic viewing experience.

Read more

Animation

How Abandoning Filmmaking and Embracing Rural Life Inspired Pernille Kjær’s Short Film ‘Forår’ (Spring)

Filmmaker Pernille Kjær talks to us about playing with light and sound in her black & white animated exploration of place 'Forår' (Spring).

Read more

Animation, Awards

How Nina Gantz Found the Perfect Balance Between Sadness and Humour in Award Winning Short ‘Wander to Wonder’

Nina Gantz takes DN inside the extraordinary craftsmanship of her stop motion short which offers a poignant exploration of loss for its diminutive stars.

Read more

Awards, Live Action

Talking Practical FX and the Power of a Great Title With Eros V Director of BIFA Short ‘Meat Puppet’

Eros V reveals the lo-fi techniques used to bring a possessed puppet to life for his BIFA nominated short about a man-child who desperately need to grow up.

Read more

Animation, Film Festival

Manchester Animation Festival 2024 Preview

Manchester Animation Festival returns for its 10th edition and we've selected 8 must-see short films from the programme that we're sure you'll love.

Read more